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30 Ways in 30 Days to Stretch Your Food Budget

Cook in large amounts and freeze leftovers.Place enough food for 1-2 meals in each container.

Create a weekly meal plan that uses the same ingredients in different ways. For instance, extra grilled chicken can be used in a casserole or salad at another meal. See More on Meal Planning

Shop in season at farmers’ markets. Many farmers’ markets offer WIC or Senior coupons for the produce. Contact your local health department to find out more information. See What’s in Season

Grow your own fruits & vegetables. Many fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables can spring from a couple of packs of seeds. Use pots if you don’t have space for a garden. Try indoor pots or greenhouse growing for the cooler months. See CDC’s Growing Vegetables

Substitute fruits and vegetables for meats. Meats are more expensive but beans are an excellent protein substitute, and vegetables and fruits add flavor, texture and nutrients. See More about Substitutions

Make regular grocery lists and stick to them. To avoid buying less healthy and more costly items, make regular grocery lists of essential items that keep you healthy [like fruits and vegetables], and stick to them.See Grocery Lists & Menus

Eat at home … more often. Eating at restaurants or buying packaged and processed foods can increase the amount you spend on food. Buy basic ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables, to cook more simple meals at home. See Fruits & Vegetables on a Budget

Make homemade soup that’s chockfull of fruits and veggies. Homemade soup is a healthy and tasty way to use fall fruits & vegetables. Make a big batch and & freeze leftovers in small lunch-size containers. Try these: butternut squash, mushroom and barley, or carrot and apple.Search Recipes

Look for deals and sales at your grocery store. Check your local grocery store coupons for sales on seasonal produce, or take advantage of overstock discounts. See Fruits & Vegetables on a Budget

Try more dried goods [such as dried fruit and beans and legumes] that store well through all seasons. Beans and legumes are also a cheaper protein option than meat. See More about Dried Fruit

Don’t shop hungry! Eat a piece of fruit or some vegetables before going to the grocery store to avoid hunger-based impulse buys.See More Shopping Tips

Canned fruits and vegetables matter. Canned vegetables [such as low-sodium tomatoes] and canned fruits in juice will last a long time, and can be a healthy addition to a variety of meals. Stock up when they are on sale. See More about Canned Fruits & Veggies

Always keep frozen fruit on hand. It’s easy to store and will be available when you’re ready to add it to a meal or use it for a healthy dessert.See More about Frozen Fruits

Pick your own! Late summer or early fall is a great time to pick your own fruits and vegetables. This can be a fun and cheap way to buy in bulk and freeze, can, or dry for later. See More about Storage

Add dried fruit to make any meal or snack healthier. They last for a long time and taste great too! Buy a large package of raisins or other dried fruit, such as cherries, cranberries or apricots, then add to cereals, salads, peanut butter sandwiches or sweet and savory dinner sauces.See More about Dried Fruit

Save with store brands. Store brands can be a great budget choice for many forms of fruits and vegetables that are just as tasty and healthy for you as fresh! See Fruits & Veggies on a Budget

Stick to the outside aisles when shopping at the grocery store. This is where the fresh produce and food items are and it’s healthier to avoid the expensive, processed foods that are located in the inside aisles. Go down only those aisles that have items you need, like canned veggies and fruits.

Make a list of the healthier, less expensive foods and recipes your family likes to eat. Add that list of foods to your regular grocery list.See Menus & Grocery Lists

Try a Leftover Makeover! Spice up leftovers by adding new fruits and vegetables to create something new for the next day. Last night’s dinner makes a great inexpensive lunch for today. Turn a chicken dinner into a veggie-rich soup or extra veggie sides into a veggie casserole or lasagna. See More about Meal Planning

Waste less with smaller servings. To avoid second serving temptation, store extra servings in the refrigerator before sitting down for the meal.

Don’t throw out bruised or dented fruits and vegetables. They can be just as tasty! Just be sure to remove all bruised areas during preparation.

Plan ahead! Make a detailed food plan for the week or month and buy only what you can store or use within that time. See More about Meal Planning

Store your fruits and vegetables promptly. To make fresh fruits and vegetables last longer, store them in the refrigerator or freezer immediately after getting home from your shopping trip. See More Storage Tips

Clearly label your foods before you store them. When storing fruits and vegetables in the freezer or refrigerator, clearly label them with contents and the date to stay within a safe and tasty timeframe. See More Storage Tips

Get creative with your leftover fruits and vegetables. Make salsa from your tomatoes and freezer jam from your fruits! See More on Meal Planning